The NFL recently put together an eight-man panel to create a list of potential coaching and general manager candidates with an emphasis on minorities.
Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton is on the list formed by former Colts president Bill Polian, former Packers general manager Ron Wolf and former NFL head coaches Tony Dungy and John Madden, among others.
The story was first reported by Peter King of Sports Illustrated in his Monday Morning Quarterback column.
Other minorities on the list include former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell.
Horton was asked about it Thursday during his weekly news conference. He said his focus is on the Jets.
Horton, the defensive coordinator in Arizona in 2011 and 2012, in January interviewed for head coaching vacancies with the Cardinals and Browns. Arizona hired Bruce Arians and the Browns hired Rob Chudzinski.
“I think out of respect for (the) New York (Jets), for the Cleveland Browns, I think that’s a question that should be broached at the end of the year,” Horton said. “It has no bearing on anything. It doesn’t help us prepare for New York, so if I could table that until the end of the year, out of respect.”
Minority assistant coaches on the list that are not coordinators include Bengals assistant to the head coach/running backs coach Hue Jackson, plus two coaches from the Packers — assistant to the head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss and secondary-safeties coach Darren Perry.
Several white assistants are on the list, including Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle.Gordon looks for six
With a touchdown catch Sunday, Josh Gordon would be the first Browns receiver since Paul Warfield in 1968 to have a touchdown catch in six consecutive games.
Gordon caught three passes for 67 yards last week, but he did score a touchdown with 59 seconds left to cut the Bears lead to 38-31.
“When you looked at it, during the game, I thought there were opportunities for Josh,” offensive coordinator Norv Turner said on Thursday. “I thought he could have easily had six or seven catches for another 150 yards. We were just off. We missed him a couple of times and we didn’t throw to him a couple of times when he had chances to make big plays.”
Turner said he wants to get Gordon involved early against the Jets. The Jets have given up 25 passing touchdowns this season.Cameron still out
Tight end Jordan Cameron missed practice for the second straight day because of the concussion he suffered last week against the Bears.
“It’s part of coaching in this league,” Turner said. “As we’ve done it at the guard positions, we’ve done it obviously, at the running back positions. We’ve had a pretty good mix at the quarterback position. So I think it’s what coaching in this league is.
“We’ve got a good plan if Jordan can play. If he can’t, I think we’ll handle it. We’ve got guys that will step up and make plays for us.”
Tight ends Gary Barnidge has 11 tackles and MarQueis Gray has two catches.Injury report
Browns: Cornerback Joe Haden (hip pointer), guard John Greco (knee), tight end Andre Smith (calf) and wide receiver Davone Bess (illness) did not practice Thursday.
Running back Willis McGahee (concussion/knee), defensive end Ahtyba Rubin (calf) and tackle Joe Thomas (back) were limited.
Jets: Safety Ed Reed (non-injury) did not practice.
Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. (knee), defensive back Antonio Cromartie ((hip), wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot/hamstring), defensive back Ellis Lankster (jaw) and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson (wrist/finger) were limited.